Exposing Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Juancho Miguel Besana to more competitive events in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium in September will give him the confidence to compete at a higher level.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion-Norton said this after the International Gymnastics Federation informed them that Besana has earned qualifying slots for the vault and horizontal bar events.
“He may not have a chance to earn a medal in the world championships, but we want him to have exposure there also,” said Norton.
Because of this, Besana, the gold medalist in vault during the Cambodia SEAG, will see action in both the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and in the world meet.
Earlier, two-time world champion Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Kylee Kvamme made it to the world meet following last month’s Asian Championships in Singapore.
“We want him (Besana) to first go to the Asian Games, and then catch up with them in the world championships,” added Norton.
The 21-year-old Besana is currently in Japan, training with Yulo. He is in a monthlong training camp at the Tokushukai Sports Center in Kamakura, with Caloy’s younger brother Eldrew and coach Reyland Capellan.
Eldrew is preparing to join a series of youth competitions in the coming months.
The IGF recently sent the GAP two separate letters with sports events manager Stephane Detraz, telling Norton that Besana has been given a “MAG Apparatus Specialist quota place” on the two apparatus.
The quota places were offered after national federations declined the spots that were reserved for them.